The role of bacteria – Catherine Plunkett, Malaghan Institute

At the meeting on 12 May 2015, we were very fortunate to hear a great speaker and local Tawa star 'Catherine Plunkett', a PHD student working at the Malaghan Institute of Medical Research. Her PHD research is in the area of Gut dysfunction and inflammation. She is trying to gain more understanding on multiple chronic inflammatory diseases like Chrohns and irritable bowel syndrome. She has presented her research finding at conferences in Australia and Canada.

Her talk was very interesting and led to some very good questions from Tawa Rotarians. Catherine went to Tawa College and Victoria University. Her parents, Phillippa and Ivan, and brother, John live in Tawa and also attended the talk.

We wish Catherine the best as she is now in the last 6 weeks of her PHD. Well done and inspiring to think that our future health in the hands of such amazing scientists who are committed to finding answers at Wellington's world class outstanding research facility, The Malaghan institute.

Member’s Update

Bill Sommer talked about his early days working as a tester in the chemistry laboratory at Tasman Vaccines and despite being asked to pick up a science career, he pursued his passion to fly with the Air Force. He now works at Civil Aviation Authority managing a team responsible for education in aviation safety.

Upcoming events

Date

Event

Intro/Liaison

19 May

David Corner - Self Advocacy Adviser, IHC

Malcolm Andrews

23 May

Key of Friendship Dinner

Ngaire Best

24 May

Hats & High Tea Event

Irene Corpuz

26 May

Forum & District Presentation

President Martin

2 June

Book Fair Setting Up

Ken Pearson

Self Advocacy for Disabled Persons

David Corner will talk on ‘Self Advocacy for Disabled Persons’ which draws on his work and experience, both for IHC in New Zealand and internationally. The photo shows David, centre, published in an article - 'IHC self advocate speaks up for disabled people in Asia Pacific', sourced from IHC.

Fundraising event – Hats & High Tea

Members are encouraged to spread the news about the Hats & High Tea event – a fundraiser for the charity, Dress for Success. This event is being held on 24 May at Linden Community Centre. Posters are displayed throughout the Tawa retail area and promotion has also been through the Tawa Rotary website and Facebook, and Neighbourly.

RYLA student vising Arkansas

Exciting news! Gaylene Lines has been advised that our RYLA student, Gareth Power Gordon, has been selected as one of only two visiting Fellows from our District as part of Rotary Club 99 of Little Rock, Arkansas, Ottenheimer International Youth Program. Gareth will travel all expenses paid to the United States to promote international goodwill and will spend about four weeks in Arkansas followed by three days in Washington DC in August 2015. Our congratulations to Gareth and thanks to Gaylene for facilitating this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

Rotary International - Relief for Nepal

Here is the latest news from RNZWCS Ltd about the situation in Nepal.

“Rotary New Zealand continues to monitor the situation in Nepal following the earthquake on 25 April 2015 and which will now include the regions affected by the earthquake of 13 May 2015. With respected Rotarians in Nepal who have had associations with Rotary Clubs in New Zealand over many years, donors can be confident that their money will be managed with utmost integrity, accountability and reporting. They continue to have dialogue with people from New Zealand on the ground. “The terrain and weather conditions in Nepal are such that there are demands most people who haven’t visited there cannot imagine” their spokesperson said. Rotary New Zealand’s response will be with the reconstruction and rehabilitation phase and they are in contact with a number of New Zealand Rotary clubs who have partnered with clubs in Nepal over many years with good outcomes. Rotary is proud of the community to community partnerships between New Zealand and Nepal. They will work also with them also in the coming months. The public of New Zealand are responding to its appeal. Those who still wish to make their donation should do it now which will enable them to assess the level of activities that they will support.